Best Economy-Class Innovations

Airline To-Be-Determined

Economy-Class Innovation: Automated
flight attendants.

Developed in Germany, this
reinvented trolley leaves the rest looking as outdated as a VCR. Via a
touchscreen, the Skytender uses syrups,
water, and a carbonation pellet to produce almost three dozen different drinks,
among them hot coffee, tea, juice, sodas, and even beer or mixed drinks. (All
that, plus a major eco-boost since fewer bottles and cans will be discarded.) It’s
currently undergoing a few final design tweaks before its onboard test in the
fall; expect the Skytender to surface in flight by spring 2012.